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Tag: wife

  • Man flees after wife gives birth to triplets

    •Council chief settles hospital bill

    A man has abandoned his wife, Ijeoma Uzoma,  after she gave birth to triplets in  a private hospital in Bariga, Lagos.

    Bariga Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Chairman Kolade Alabi has come to the rescue of the woman and her children, but her husband has yet to show up.

    The babies were delivered premature at Tolu Crescent Medical Centre at Ajileye Street, Bariga, on Wednesday.

    On hearing that the babies required immediate medical attention, their father was said to have disappeared.

    Their mother’s younger sister simply identified as Joy contacted the council chairman for help on Thursday night.

    Alabi, The Nation learnt,  sent some of his top officials to confirm the information.

    After their report,  he led the Head of Administration,  Mrs Toyin Senaike, Medical Officer of Health Dr Wasiu Owoyele, Supervisor for Health Kunle Dabiri, and council Treasurer Femi Apata, among others, to the hospital.

    After meeting with the hospital owner,  Dr Mustafa Omotolani, Alabi promised to offset the bill.

    He asked the council’s  medical team to work with  the hospital to ensure that Mrs Uzoma and her triplets got the best medical attention.

    He gave the woman money and some gifts.

     Yesterday, Alabi praised  Joy for calling his attention  to her sister’s plight.

    “The local government is not only the third tier of government, it is the closest to the people and people must endeavour to contact the council for their needs. I do not see the reason why the woman’s husband should run away. That is not the solution. Children are gifts from God,” he said.

    A Ward ‘D’ Councillor, Princess Yemisi Adeliyi,  and some ward leaders also visted the woman and presented her with some provisions.

    The Nation learnt that the woman and her children may be moved to the general hospital.

  • Man hacks wife to death in Enugu

    The police in Enugu State are now investigating an incident that led to a husband hacking his wife to death in Enugu city on Thursday.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Ebere Amaraizu, broke the news in a statement yesterday  in Enugu.

    However, he did not disclose the location of the incident.

    He merely gave the name of the deceased as Mrs Nkechi Nnamani, a mother of four children.

    “It was gathered that the wife identified as Nkechi Nnamani, had been hale and hearty before the husband, Sunday Nnamani, allegedly hit her with an object on the head which left her in coma,”the police spokesman said.

    “Nkechi was consequently rushed to Parklane Specialist Hospital, Enugu, where she was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty,” he said.

    The PPRO said that police operatives had been trying to unravel the circumstances surrounding the alleged unfortunate incident; just as the dead body of Nkechi had been deposited at a nearby mortuary.

  • Working to drive away hunger in Nigeria

    Working to drive away hunger in Nigeria

    The story of Victoria Madukaji, a wife, mother, student and a professional driver, who says driving away hunger from Nigeria and challenging gender stereotypes is her mission.

    Millions of Nigerian women own and drive cars but being a woman and a professional driver does not carry the highest job appeal for many. Victoria, who works for the World Food Programme (WFP) in Abuja, is one of a few women who are breaking the myth that driving is a man’s job.

    “Many people are very surprised when they see me working as a driver,” says Victoria. “I hear them argue: ‘It’s a man’; ‘no, it’s a woman’. When I come down from the vehicle and they see that it is truly a woman at the wheels, some are like ‘wow!’”

    Since her first employment as a driver in 2011 with ACTIONAID Nigeria, Victoria has learned to live with being the centre of attention, especially in rural areas. She focuses on her work and impressed her former employers when she even undertook missions where she drove from Nigeria to other countries including neighbouring Cameroon and Benin Republic.

    Since she joined WFP in March 2017 she is even more motivated because of what she views as the organisation’s grand purpose for humanity.

    “What pushes me is that I am a humanitarian worker,” she says. “A lot of people are hungry. The work we are doing at WFP helps to reduce hunger and I am helping to drive out hunger from the land,” Victoria adds with determination.

    Her colleagues at WFP — both men and women — recognise her dedication, courtesy and humility. They treat her with dignity and respect. She explains that she has not suffered from gender-based discrimination or bias.

    But the journey has not been without challenges. When she got her first driving job, it took her several weeks to muster courage to announce it to her husband because of the perception that professional driving is reserved for men. He was initially unhappy but later gave her support and encouragement.

    Victoria has been able to strike a delicate balance between her work and her family life.

    “It is not easy for a woman but I manage to balance everything,” says the mother of three children. “After work, I create time for my kids. I check their homework and prepare the things they need for school. My husband is very understanding and very supportive.”

    At WFP, the work schedule is also adapted to encourage her to continue with her career. As a breastfeeding mother she is exempted from night shifts and field assignments.

    “I am very happy with my work. My work does not affect my family life in any negative way…my work has changed a lot of things for me,” says Victoria.

    Her ambition is to become a United Nations international staff member in the next 10 years and possibly an ambassador of her country someday. She is taking a bachelor’s degree programme in education and is also studying part time for a degree in food and nutrition from the National Open University of Nigeria.

    She would like to encourage more Nigerian women to be daring, self-reliant and not entirely financially dependent on their spouses and men.

    “Women should not shy away from so-called men’s jobs — like driving, shoe-making, motor mechanics, and so on. A woman can do any job.”

    One of Victoria’s three children is a girl — whom she is training to be independent-minded like herself, in an environment dominated by men.

    “I’m training her to be a goal-getter, to have a mind of her own, because when she grows up, there’ll be a lot of challenges out there to be faced.”

     

    Victoria Madukaji poses next to a WFP vehicle in Abuja. PHOTO: WFP/Ladi Eguche

    A woman can do any job including that of a professional driver, says Victoria Madukaji. PHOTO: WFP/Ladi Eguche

    Victoria – Keeping focus today to become a Nigerian Ambassador tomorrow. PHOTO: WFP/Ladi Eguche

    . Kelechi Onyemaobi is the National Communications Officer (Nigeria) of the UN World Food Programme (WFP)

  • Abba Moro buries wife

    Abba Moro buries wife

    The remains of Mrs. Veronica Linda Moro, wife of the former Minister of the Interior, Comrade Abba Moro will be committed to mother earth on Friday, next week,   in Effa, Ugbokolo, Okpokwu Local Government Area, Benue State.

    A press statement signed by Comrade Moro to announce the passing of his wife, noted that the body of Veronica will leave the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi by 10: 00 am on Thursday, 8th March, 2018 for her family compound in Ugbokolo for an All-Night Christian Wake-Keep.

    On Friday, before the interment in Effa, there will be a Church Service at Holy Name Parish, Ugbokolo by 10: 00 am prompt. The statement also added that after the interment, there will be final funeral rites on Saturday in Effa, Ugbokolo on Saturday, 10th March, 2018.

    Mrs Moro died at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi on 19th February, 2018 after a brief illness.  Born some 54 years ago to the family of late Mr and Mrs Ondoma of Effa, Veronica Moro began her education at the LGEA Primary School, Ondo, Ugbokolo in 1969 and bagged a School Leaving Certificate in 1975, from where she obtained a Teachers Grade II Certificate in 1981 from Government Teachers College, Vandeikya, Benue State and capped it up with a Certificate Course in Catering and Hotel Management, Ordinary National Diploma (OND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accounting, all from Benue State University, Ugbokolo.

    She was a career civil servant and rose to be the Accountant of Okpokwu Local Government Council, Benue State before she retired in 2016 after putting in 35 years of meritorious public service. She was a member of many prestigious professional bodies, chief among them were the Institute of Treasury Professionals and Management of Nigeria and Institute of Certified Public Accountants and so on.

    Enu  Moro as she was fondly called was a matriarch in her own right, a quintessential wife, mother and community leader who was also a pillar of support for her husband. Mrs Veronica Moro is survived by Comrade Abba Moro, six children, brothers and sisters.

  • FRSC official killed as gunmen abduct reporter’s wife, kid

    FRSC official killed as gunmen abduct reporter’s wife, kid

    Some unknown gunmen yesterday in Kaduna abducted the wife and child of a Voice of America (VOA) reporter.

    The abductors killed an official of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), who attempted to help the victims.

    The reporter, Malam Nasir Birnin-Yero, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that about 30 men attacked his residence in Birnin Yero, near Kaduna at about 1:30 am.

    “They came to my house at about 1:30 am. I was not at home. They forced themselves into my house and asked my wife of my whereabouts and she told them I was not at home.

    “They vandalised my television set and refrigerator before taking my wife and son away, insisting that they must take them to where I was.

    “One of my neighbours, who works with the FRSC, Mr. Sabitu Abdulhamid, was shot dead when he rushed out in an attempt to save my family.

    “The kidnappers have not made any contact yet,” Birnin-Yero said

    Kaduna State FRSC Sector Commander Umar Ibrahim confirmed the death of the corps personnel.

    Ibrahim described the deceased as a very hard working person, who was also a member of the community’s vigilante.

    “I am just coming back from the burial. It is a sad day for members of his family and the entire FRSC family, “the sector commander said.

  • Jonathan’s wife, banks trade blame over funds trapped in 10 accounts

    Jonathan’s wife, banks trade blame over funds trapped in 10 accounts

    Former First Lady Patience Jonathan, some firms and groups linked to her and their bankers are engaged in a blame game over their inability to retrieve huge sums trapped in the banks in the wake of a freezing order obtained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Mrs. Jonathan, the firms and groups accused the banks – First Bank, Skye Bank and Diamond Bank – of withholding their funds despite an order of court vacating the freezing order. But the banks argued that the way the ex-First Lady and others sought to retrieve the trapped funds violated existing financial regulations.

    The firms and groups include: Incorporated Trustees of Ariwabai Aruera Reachout Foundation, Fagmat Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, Finchley Top Homes Limited, AM PM Global Network Limited and Magel Resort Limited.

    Others are: Incorporated Trustees of Women for Change and Development Initiative Nigeria, Seagate Property Development Investment Company, Globus Integrated Services and Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited.

    Although the total amount involved could not be immediately ascertained at the weekend, some documents filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja revealed the distribution of the accounts.

    Mrs. Jonathan is said to own the account marked:  2022646664 with First Bank, with a balance of about $3.6million ($3,626, 273.71). Globus Integrated maintains account: 210002269 domiciled in Skye Bank.

    Incorporated Trustees of Ariwabai Aruera Reachout Foundation, Fagmat Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, Finchley Top Homes Limited, AM PM Global Network Limited and Magel Resort Limited are said to maintain accounts: 0024351569, 0026838491, 0019213687, 0026718889, 0024351590 with Diamond Bank.

    Also, the Incorporated Trustees of Women for Change and Development Initiative Nigeria is said to maintain three accounts: 0035481691, 0025879578 and 0019213632 with Diamond Bank.

    Mrs. Jonathan, the firms and groups are contending that the banks’ alleged refusal to release the money amounted to flouting the December 5, 2017 order of a Federal High Court in Abuja, vacating the freezing order got by the EFCC on May 30, 2017.

    They subsequently initiated contempt proceedings against the banks’ heads, who they accused of disobeying the December 5, 2017 order by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which was to the effect that the freezing order obtained by the EFCC on the affected accounts has lapsed.

    Mrs. Jonathan, the firms and groups stated, in a supporting affidavit filed with the committal application, that they attempted to make withdrawals from the accounts after the December 5, 2017 order, but were denied access to the accounts by the banks.

    They added: “The respondents/contemnors all refused to obey the court order and thus, bluntly refused to pay the applicants or allow them operate their accounts. Despite the service of the orders and Forms 48 and 49 of this court on the respondents/contemnors, they have bluntly refused to obey the orders of this honourable court.”

    They prayed the court to commit the bank chiefs to prison for “the persistent and flagrant disobedience of the order of this honourable court made on the 5th of December 2017 in suit No: FHC/CS/821/2016 between Incorporated Trustees of Ariwabai Aruera Reachout Foundation and 10 others vs. EFCC.”

    Dr. Adesola Adeduntan (described in the application for committal as the Group managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, First Bank); Mr. Tokunbo Abiru (Chief Executive Officer, Skye Bank) and Uzoma Dozie (Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Diamond Bank) have denied any wrong doing.

    The bank chiefs claimed that their banks complied with the December 5, 2017 ruling unfreezing the accounts. They have also challenged the competence of the contempt proceedings.

    In a counter-motion, Adeduntan challenged the competence of contempt proceedings on grounds of incompetent service. He argued that no processes in relation the proceedings were served on him personally as required by law.

    The First Bank CEO denied flouting any order of the court. He stated that his bank has complied with the December 5, 2017 order and has lifted the restriction on Mrs Jonathan’s account with the bank.

    In a supporting affidavit, First Bank stated that “upon confirming the authenticity of the order of court and advice from its legal department, the bank forthwith complied with the order of court by defreezing the account on 16th December 2017.

    “This was communicated to 11th judgment creditor/respondent (Mrs. Jonathan) vide a letter dated 18th December 2017. The bank also informed the 11th judgment creditor/respondent that its management had taken a decision to close the account with it and therefore requested her to provide the details of an account into which the balance in the said account should be transferred.

    “Upon receipt of the letter, the 11th judgment creditor/respondent and her counsel, Granville Abibo (SAN), vide letter dated 20th December 2017 respectively informed the bank that the 11tth judgment creditor/respondent could not provide detail of any account into which the balance in her defreezed account with the bank should be transferred and thus demanded that she should be paid in cash.

    “The bank, having complied with the order of court to unfreeze the account, no longer owe the 11th judgment creditor/respondent any obligation as regard assisting her to violate the provisions of the Money Laundering Laws of Nigeria and normal banking practice of delivering foreign currency in large quantum in cash.

    “In response to letters dated 20th December 2017 the bank, vide letters dated 21st December 2017 to the 11th judgment creditor/respondent and her counsel respectively, informed them of the bank’s inability to accede to their request for cash payment, but advised that a bank cheque will be issued in the name of the 11th judgment creditor/respondent for the balance in the unfreezed account if she fails to provide detail of account into which the said balance should be transferred on or before 4tth of January 2018.

    “In response, the 11tth judgment creditor/respondent and her counsel respectively informed the bank that the 11tth judgment creditor/respondent does not have any account in her name where monies can be transferred and would prefer cash to be paid to her as the lodgements made into that account were done in cash.

    “The 11th judgment creditor/respondent further wrote the bank on 277th December 2017 supplying three separate accounts of her counsel, telling the bank that the said sum be paid into those three named accounts of solicitors who are third parties and the balance paid to her in cash.

    “In line with the bank’s letter of 21th December 2017, upon the failure of the 11th judgment creditor/respondent and her counsel to provide any account detail in her name to transfer the funds in her unfreezed account, the bank on 17th January 2018 issued, in her name, a bank cheque no: 014602 in the sum of $3,626,273.71 representing the total balance in her account with the bank, less applicable charges.

    “Further to the above, the bank also informed the 11th judgment creditor/respondent and her counsel vide letters dated 17th January 2018 to visit a designated office of the bank in Abuja to pick up the cheque. The 11th judgment creditor/respondent refused to collect the letter, but her counsel received his own copy,” the bank said.

    Meanwhile, Mrs. Jonathan, the firms and groups have taken steps to frustrate a renewed move by the EFCC to have the accounts frozen again. They have challenged the competence a fresh motion filed by the EFCC to that effect.

    They urged the court to strike it out for not only being incompetent, but constitution an abuse of court process. They noted that the EFCC has among others, filed similar application before the Lagos division of the Federal High Court.

    When the two cases marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/821/2016 and FHC/ABJ/CS/1207/2017 came up last Friday, the court could not take any of the pending application because the EFCC was not represented.

    Justice Nyako noted that the EFCC was served with a hearing notice just the previous day, which the judge said was insufficient.

    Following agreement by lawyers in the cases, including Mike Ozekhome, SAN, (for Mrs. Jonathan), Justice Nyako adjourned further proceedings to April 11.

  • PETER SUSWAM: Wife shares similarities with my mum

    PETER SUSWAM: Wife shares similarities with my mum

    Former junior international Peter Terna Suswam has admitted it’s natural for men to see some similarities between their wives and mothers as he purred on his adorable sweetheart, writes MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN

    Until most recently, Peter Terna Suswam’s reference for love was no other person than his mother who has stood behind him like the rock of Gibraltar .

    “My mum is my favourite, she is my life and I’m very close to her,” stated Suswam in a file interview with our correspondent. “I will get married no doubt but whoever I marry would have to accommodate my adorable mother.”

    In another breath, Suswam has shared such endearment about his wife, adding that exchanging of marital vows with Natalia, a Polish, was his best moments in 2017.

    “A lot of people have their own definitions of love but as for me love has no colour,” Suswam hinted recently.  “When you love someone, you fall in love completely and you are both joyful about each other.”

    He offered more: “My wife has things in common with my mother because they are both strong women with so much love to share. One of my great moments in 2017 was October 15; the date when I exchanged vows with Natalia as mywife. We met through a friend and since then, the rest is history.”

    To demonstrate his love for Natalia, Suswam waited for the opportune time before making a formal proposal and where else can someone propose than the idyllic ambience of Lake Solina.

    For those not conversant with tourist destinations, Lake Solina according to an online encyclopaedia  was created in 1968 by the construction of the Solina Dam on the San River. It has an area of 22 square kilometres and contains 472,000,000 cubic metres of water, making it Poland’s largest artificial lake. It is the best known tourist attraction of the region, with waterside villages like Solina, Myczkowce and Polańczyk catering to water sports enthusiasts. The lake’s great depth, water clarity, and mountainous scenery make it a very popular destination for boaters. Because of these qualities the lake has been nicknamed the “Bieszczady Sea”.

    “My wife is from Poland and we went on holidays to Lake Solina,” stated Suswam who is currently attached to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) champions, Plateau United. “Lake Solina with its very cold water is really a cool place to chill during summer and that was where I proposed to my wife.

    “Why did I marry her?  She’s very loving and supportive; she’s unique and a person any man would wish for a wife and she’s the mother of my beautiful daughter. We were together for three years before marriage and our daughter is about one year and six months old. She was named Sayen Nadoo Suswam. Sayen is an English name and it means lovable and Nadoo means great gift in my Tiv dialect,” he said.

    Away from marital bliss, Suswam has an exciting soccer career too. He began his career with SEC Abuja and signed for Wikki Tourists in 2007.  With Wikki Tourists, he played his first professional games in the NPFL and was sold to Lobi Stars in 2009.

    He moved abroad in 2010 to team up with Vitoria Setubal and stayed with the Portuguese Primeira Liga side for three seasons. He later had stints with FK Kukesi in the Albanian Superliga,  as well as Stal Rzeszow in the Polish Professional League before returning home to join Plateau United.

    “I have gained much experience and my game has matured with varied experiences playing in Portugal, Poland and Albania,” he explained. “I have also grown up as a person

    “I had some best moments in those three countries. Playing in big games against FC Porto and Benfica was massive; these were games I used to watch on TV and it was absolutely great to find myself playing in such games. Yes, I played with Victoria Setubal where the late Rashid Yekini was well respected; he was a legend of the club.

    “In Albania, I had the experience of Europa leaguewith FK Kukesi and aside from the football, I met my wife in Poland and I now have a very lovely family. Things like these  are some of the best moments of my life and career.”

    “I’m presently with Plateau United; I just decided to come back home. They said when things aren’t going the way you  planned, you come back home. It was a bit challenging initially coming back home to play in the NPFL but now everything is moving smoothly.

    “I did not join Plateau United because they were the NPFL champions rather, they gave me an opportunity and I think it’s an ideal place for me. We have an agreement for two years and so we see what happen, I just have to put in the hard work

    “Of course, I have played in other local clubs before but Plateau United is a team with purpose and they are pushing us the players not just to be good but to better persons as well. It’s like a family  and this has shown in our readiness for the CAF Champions League.

    “The team won the league last year and we are one hundred percent ready to meet the expectations of many,” he posited.

    He’s still nostalgic about his days with the national teams when he helped the Super Eagles B team to win the 2010 WAFU Cup. He nearly gate-crashed into the squad for 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa under Coach Lars Lagerbackwho handed him his first cap for the Super Eagles in the friendly  match against Saudi Arabia. Thereafter, he helped the Flying Eagles reach the quarter finals at the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia.

    “It’s true I had a great time at the youth level but my focus now is doing well with Plateau United, I’m not focusing on Super Eagles,” he stated.

    SHORT & SHARP WITH SUSWAM

    What are the things that give you joy?

    My family there is nothing like having a good family. In my family, we have four boys and three girls. I’m very close to my siblings and my mum because she has being there for us since the death of my dad.

    What makes you sad?

    Just sad that my dad is not alive. He died in 2005.

    What is your definition of fashion and what kind of dress do you like to wear?

    Just  to dress good and look smart. I love to wear jeans and T-shirt but sometimes I put on native.

    What would not be caught wearing?

    Babaringa (the flowing wide sleeved robe)

    Who are your best designs?

    I like Luis Vuitton, Zara and my very good friend is a designer and he owns Pivon’s Republic

    What encouragement did you get from your parents playing football?

    They wanted me to go to school; you know every parent back then would punish you for playing football.

    What would you have done if not playing football?

    Be an accountant.

    Who are those that inspired you as a footballer?

    My dad, he played football in his younger years. My dad was a very hardworking man. Though he was not rich, he made sure we had food to eat and cloth on our back so that makes him my hero. He is my idol because he taught us how to love and care for each other.

  • ‘Jonathan, wife instructed me to convert dollars to naira’

    ‘Jonathan, wife instructed me to convert dollars to naira’

    Former Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs to ex-President Jonathan, Waripamo Dudafa, yesterday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that all the foreign currencies he gave to a Bureau De Change operator to convert to naira were given to him by his bosses.

    Testifying during a hearing on a suit filed by Mrs Jonathan, Dudafa said he merely carried out instructions.

    The former First Lady sued the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for placing a no-debit order on her Skye Bank Plc accounts with $15.5million. She is praying the court to unfreeze them.

    Justice Mohammed Idris had directed parties to give oral evidence on the money’s ownership.

    Dudafa, while being cross-examined by EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo after adopting his witness statement on oath, said he only “relayed” the instructions he was given.

    Oyedepo asked him: “Do you know Festus Iyoha and Peter Arivim?” Dudafa said: “Iyoha was a steward attached to the President and Commander-in-Chief. I also know Peter Arivim. He was also a steward attached to President Jonathan.”

    Oyedepo said: “You gave them hard currencies to take to a Bureau De Change operator, Abubakar Murtala.”

    Dudafa responded: “It was not limited to Iyoha and Peter. I don’t have power to instruct anyone. I could only relay the instruction of the President or his wife to any available aide, including Festus and Peter.”

    Oyedepo insisted that it was Dudafa who instructed the aides to convert the money. The witness said: “I relayed different instructions from the President or his wife.”

    Oyedepo said: “I put it to you that you gave dollars to Mr Murtala,” to which Dudafa responded: “So many times the President and his wife gave me instructions to hand over the dollars.”

    When Oyedepo suggested to Dudafa that he was the one who personally handed the dollars to the aides, the witness agreed.

    “The physical handing over was done by me although I received instructions from the President or his wife,” he said.

    Oyedepo said: “I put it to you that $1million and other amounts were given to you,” to which Dudafa responded: “I don’t know if it was $1million”.

    Asked if he was in constant contact with the BDC operator, the witness answered in the affirmative.

    Justice Idris adjourned until March 26.

  • Wife of ex-PDP chief’s son to court: I’m three-month pregnant

    Wife of ex-PDP chief’s son to court: I’m three-month pregnant

    •Judge to rule on bail tomorrow

    MARYAM Sanda, who was remanded in prison for allegedly killing her husband, Bilyamin Mohammed Bello, has told a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting in Jabi, Abuja, that she is three-month pregnant for the deceased.

    Mariam is been charged together with her mother, Hajia Maimuna Aliyu, Aliyu Sanda as well as Sadiya Aminu for the murder of Bilyamin, the son of ex-People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Alhaji Bello Haliru Mohammed.

    At the resume of hearing yesterday, the defendant’s counsel, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), in his new application dated January 25 and filed January 26, prayed for an order to grant the first defendant bail pending the hearing of the matter.

    He said: “My Lord, the new fact is that she is three-month pregnant and I have done my research. The court should exercise its discretion that there will be guarantee that the defendant will attend trial in all the adjourned dates.

    “Apart from issue of blood pressure, pregnancy is a thing that comes with complicating issues.

    “I urge the court to exercise its discretion under the ACJA (Administration of Criminal Justice Act) and grant the defendant bail. I have no reference, where a woman is pregnant and is denied bail.

    “In other words, let us leave the social media on one side; there is a threat to two lives.”

    The defence counsel also objected to hearing of the case since the matter has not been sent to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice as stipulated by Section 104 and 105 of the Penal Code.

    “There is no point of commencing cross-examination. There must be a fair trial and due processes must be followed,” Daudu said.

    Objecting to the bail application, police prosecuting counsel, Mr. James Idachaba, told the court that the evidence put forward by the defence were not sufficient enough to grant the application.

    He told the court that in reaction to the application, the prosecution have filed a counter-affidavit of 12-paragraph against bail for the defendant.

    “With greatest respect, the fact brought before your lordship is insufficient. There is no evidence to prove that she is three-month pregnant. We urge your lordship to dismiss the application because the defendant has not taken her plea,” Idachaba said.

    After listening to both parties, the trial judge, Justice Yusuf Haliru, ordered that the first defendant be remanded in prison facility  that is been maintained by government and adjourned the matter till tomorrow to rule on whether to grant the bail or not based on her pregnancy claim.

    Justice Halilu had previously rejected plea for the defendant, who is nursing a six-month old baby girl, to be released from Suleja prison on bail.

    The court had on November 24, last year, remanded Maryam in prison after she was arraigned on a two-count charge of culpable homicide punishable by death under section 221 of the Penal Code Law.

    In the charge, which police filed pursuant to section 109 (d) of the ACJA, 2015, Maryam was accused of stabbing her husband to death with a broken bottle on November 19 at their Abuja residence.

    The prosecution told the court that Bilyamin died as a result of several stabs on his chest and neck.

     

     

  • Driver wants divorce over wife’s threats to severe manhood

    Driver wants divorce over wife’s threats to severe manhood

    A commercial driver, Laisi Ajibade, on Wednesday asked an Ado-Ekiti Customary Court to dissolve his 22-year-old marriage over threats by his wife, Folake, to cut off his manhood.

    Ajibade, 48, also accused Folake of dishonesty and desertion.

    According to him, Folake almost cut off his manhood when they went to bed on Nov. 7, 2017.

    “She threatens to kill me whenever we have any misunderstanding; I am scared of living under the same roof with her,” he stated.

    ‎Ajibade told the court that he did not formally contract the marriage that was already blessed with four children.

    “My Lord, my wife is not a trustworthy person; she deserted me for months and went to build her own house without my knowledge and consent,” he further claimed.

    Ajibade, who said that he deliberately refused to send Folake out of his house because the matter was already in court, appealed that the union be dissolved and the custody of the four children awarded to him.

    The President of the Court, Mrs. Olayinka Akomolede, after hearing the petitioner’s testimony, adjourned the case to Feb. 8, for further hearing.